Disease Specific Specimen Selection and Collection

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

A

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Abortion, Infectious Bovine Placenta with cotyledons.
Uterine discharge on swab.
Fresh whole fetus.
Fetal stomach contents.
Fetal lung and liver.
Brucella abortus
Campylobacter species
Abortion, Mycotic Placenta with cotyledons.
Fetal stomach content.
Aspergillus species
Mortierella wolfii
Actinobacillosis
Wooden Tongue
Pus from abscess. Actinobacillus lignieresii
Arcanobacterium Infection Fresh material from excised abscess on swab or in syringe. Arcanobacterium pyogenes
Corynebacterium spp.
Actinomycosis,
Bovine Lumpy Jaw
Fresh material from excised abscess on swab or in syringe. Actinomyces bovis
Actinomycosis, Canine Biopsy or fresh material
Tracheal wash
Thoracocentesis
Actinomyces viscosus
Anaerobic Bacteria Biopsies & exudates in sterile syringe with plugged needle.
Anaerobic transport swab.
Bacteriodes species
Fusobacterium spp.
Peptococcus sp.
Peptostreptococcus sp.
Eubacterium sp.
Propionibbacterium sp.
Anthrax Alert Lab! Blood soaked umbilical tape or cotton swabs soaked in extruded blood or blood taken from a superficial ear vein in acute or paracute cases. In swine, send lymph nodes. Bacillus anthracis
Arthritis Entire joint in smaller animals. Joint swabs in transport media or joint fluid in sterile syringe. Streptococcus
Arcanobacterium pyogenes
Haemophilus
Histophilus
Erysipelothrix
Staphylococcus
Mycoplasma
Aspergillosis, Avian Lung and air sacs.
Tracheal wash.
Aspergillus fumigatus
Aspergillus spp.
Atrophic Rhinitis of Swine Clean external nares with alcohol. Swab 1/2 distance into cavity.
Entire nose if animal is sacrificed.
Bordetella bronchiseptica
Pasteurella multocida

Back to Top

B

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Bacillary hemoglobinuria Redwater Portion of liver with infarct. Clostridium haemolyticum
Bacterial Balanoposthitis and Vulvitis Pus collected from several animals on swabs and placed in transport media. Corynebacterium renale
C. pilosum
Bacteriuria Urine or swab – prefer urine sample. Escherichia coli
Proteus
Other coliforms
Streptococcus spp.
Many Gram + and Gram - bacteria
Big Head Section of tissue with lesion. Clostridium novyi
Clostridium sordelli
Clostridium chauvoei (rare)
Black Disease
Infectious Necrotic Hepatitis
Section of liver with necrotic lesion Clostridium novyi type B
Blackleg Section of muscle with lesion. Clostridium chauvoei
Clostridium novyi
Clostridium septicum
Blastomycosis Transtracheal wash, biopsy or abscess contents from skin. Blastomyces dermatitidis
Botulism Food suspected of containing toxin.
Section of fresh intestine, tied off.
Large section of liver.
Clostridium botulinum
Brucellosis, Bovine
Bang's Disease
Placenta & aborted fetus.
Lung, Liver, Kidney of fetus.
Milk.
Semen and testes.
Brucella abortus
Brucellosis, Canine Females: fetus (lung, liver), placenta & vaginal swabs.
Males: semen, testes, epididymis, prostatic fluid.
Brucella canis
Brucellosis, Caprine Placenta & fetus. Brucella melitensis
Brucellosis, Ovine
Ovine Epididymitis
Aseptically collected semen
Fetal cotyledons & fetus.
Testicle & epididymis.
Brucella ovis
Brucellosis, Porcine Fetus, fetal stomach contents, testicles. Brucella suis
Bursitis Entire joint in smaller animals.
Joint swabs in transport media.
Joint fluid.
Streptococcus
Corynebacterium
Haemophilus
Mycoplasma

Back to Top

C

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Campylobacteriosis,
Bovine Genital
Fetus, entire.
Cervical mucous.
Preputial washing.
Semen sample.
Campylobacter fetus ssp. venerealis
Campylobacteriosis,
Canine Intestinal
Fresh rectal / fecal swabs in transport media. Campylobacter jejuni
Campylobacteriosis, Feline Fresh rectal / fecal swabs in transport media. Campylobacter jejuni
Campylobacteriosis,
Ovine Genital (OGS)
Fresh whole fetus & fetal stomach contents. Campylobacter fetus ssp. fetus
Candidiasis
Candidosis
Moniliasis
Thrush
Deep scraping of affected area below the pseudomembrane or other extraneous material. Candidia albicans
Candidia spp.
Canine Respiratory Disease Transtracheal wash.
Transthoracic aspirate.
Throat swab.
Lung tissue.
Bordetella species
Pasteurella multocida
Pasteurella spp.
Pseudomonas spp.
Coliforms
Circling Disease Brain stem Listeria spp.
Coccidioidomycosis Exudate of nodules.
Biopsies of liver, spleen and lymph nodes.
Tissues.
Transthoracic aspirate.
Coccidioides imitis
Colibacillosis
Bovine and Porcine
Tied off intestine and content.
Request pilus antigen testing.
Escherichia coli (K88, K99, 987P)
Contagious Equine Metritis (CEM) Swabs from cervix, urethra & clitoral fossa of mare.
Swabs from urethral fossa & penile sheath of male.
Notify Laboratory Before Collecting Samples. Samples will be sent to certified lab out of state, and must meet certain specifications.
Taylorella equigenitalis
Contagious Foot Rot of Sheep
Foot Rot of Sheep
Infectious Foot Rot of Sheep
Ovine Digital Dermatitis
Swab from center of lesion after trimming hoof.
Requires anaerobic transport media.
Dichlobacter nodosus
Contagious Pleuropneumonia of Swine Portion of lung. Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae
Coryza (Turkey)
Rhinotracheitis (Chickens)
Trachea
Lung
Bordetella avium
Cryptococcosis Nasal passage material in paranasal form.
Material from granulomatous lesions in subcutaneous form.
Cerebrospinal fluid.
Milk in cryptococcal mastitis.
Portions of affected tissues.
Cryptococcus neoformans
Cystitis Fresh urine. Escherichia coli
Proteus spp.
Coliforms
Streptococcus spp.

Back to Top

D

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Dermatitis Clean surface to remove dirt. Swab of lesions in transport media.
Sections of skin.
Plucked hair.
Staphylococcus hyicus, aureus, intermedius
Pseudomonas spp.
Streptococcus spp.
Fungi (Dermatophytes)
Dermatomycosis Plucked hair and skin scrapings sent dry in envelope. Sections of skin. Microsporum spp.
Trichophyton spp.
Dermatophilosis
(Streptothricosis)
Scabs, crust & plucked hair.
Skin biopsy after scab removal.
Dermatophilus congolensis
Diphtheria, Calf Anaerobic swab of ulcers in trachea.
Anaerobic swab of diphtheric membrane.
Fusobacterium necrophorum

Back to Top

E

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Edema Disease
Gut Edema of Porcine
Tied off affected intestine.
Request pilus antigen testing
Can be sent to another lab for serotyping.
Escherichia coli
Enteric Disease Tied off affected section of intestine.
Swabs from intestinal sections.
Escherichia coli
Other coliforms
Salmonella spp.
Enteric Infections of Young Lambs Ties off affected section of intestine for aerobic & anaerobic cultures.
Aerobic & anaerobic swabs.
Clostirida spp.
Coliforms
Enterotoxemia
Clostridial enterotoxemia
20-30 ml of ileal content in vial or tied off intestine.
Freeze and transport rapidly to laboratory.
Clostridium perfringens
Erysipelas, Swine
Diamond Skin Disease
Acute form: Heart blood, portion of kidney, spleen & liver.
Arthritic & Cardiac form: Swabs from affected joints, tissues, heart valves.
Erysipelothrix rhusiopathiae
Exudative Epidermitis
Greasy Pig Disease
Clean skin with soap, water and alcohol.
Scrape lesions and send to lab on swab in transport media or in sterile syringe.
Staphylococcus hyicus

Back to Top

F

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Fistulas Withers Fresh material from opened abscess or lymph node.
Swab from excised abscess.
Brucella abortus
Actinomyces bovis
Foot abscess of Sheep Fresh pus.
Anaerobic swabs if possible.
Arcanobacterium pyogenes
Fusobacterium necrophorum
Bacteriodes spp.
Foot Rot of Cattle
Interdigital Necrobacillosis
Fresh pus.
Anaerobic swabs if possible.
Fusobacterium necrophorum
Fowl Cholera
Avian Cholera
Pus from joints and other tissues.
Lung Liver, intestine.
Bone marrow.
Pasteurella multocida
Fowl Typhoid Egg and / or egg products.
Lung, liver, spleen, kidney, intestine.
Salmonella gallinarium Salmonella spp.

Back to Top

G

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Gangrenous Mastitis Usually mammary tissue.
Anaerobic swab from affected quarter.
Clostridium perfringens
Clostridia spp.
Gas Gangrene Affected Tissue Clostridium perfringens
Geotrichosis Rarely diagnosed in living anima.
Ear swab in canine.
Milk sample in cattle.
Tissue & scraping from lesions in dead animals.
Geotrichium candidium
Glanders Notify Lab in Advance!
Nasal discharge swab.
Swab of cutaneous lesion.
Lung & lymph node.
Nodules.
Pus from Ulcers.
Burkholderia mallei
Glasser's Disease Preferably a live, sick pig.
Swabs for culture from various serous membranes and meninges.
Haemophilus parasuis
Gutteral Pouch Infection Nasal discharge swab, pus, biopsy of lesion for aerobic & anaerobic culture. Streptococcus spp.
Pasteurella spp.
Fusobacterium spp.
Bacteroides spp.
Other anaerobic bacteria
Fungal species

Back to Top

H

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Haemophilus (Histophilus) Infection of Cattle Brain, lung, joints or joint fluid. Histophilus somni
Hepatitis, Infectious Necrotic Black Disease Portion of necrotic liver lesion. Clostridium novyii
Histoplasmosis Urine sediment, excised lymph nodes or biopsy, liver biopsy, scrapings from ulcer base, bone marrow aspirate or peripheral blood buffy coat.
Necropsy: Lung, liver, spleen, intestine, skin & any granulomas.
Histoplasma capsulatum

Back to Top

I

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Icterohemoglobinuria Liver with lesions. Clostridium haemolyticum
Infectious hemoglobinuria Liver with lesions. Clostridium haemolyticum
Infectious necrotic hepatitis Liver with lesions. Clostridium novyii type B
Infertility Reproductive tract swabs.
Semen, vaginal mucous.
Preputial washings.
Brucella abortus
Brucella canis
Brucella spp.
Campylobacter spp.
Streptococcus spp.
Many other bacteria

Back to Top

J

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Johne's Disease Requires 8 – 16 Weeks
Dead animal: Tissue from ileocecal junction & adjacent lymph nodes.
Live animal: Rectally collected fecal sample.
Intestinal scraping.
Mycobacterium avium subsp. paratuberculosis

Back to Top

K

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Kennel Cough Transtracheal wash
Transthoracic aspirate
Throat swab
Lung tissue
Bordetella bronchiseptica
Keratoconjunctivitis
Infectious Bovine Pinkeye
Infectious Ophthalmia
Infectious keratitis
Conjunctival swabs in transport media. Moraxella bovis

Back to Top

L

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Lamb dysentery 20-30 ml of ileal content in vial or tied off intestine.
Freeze & transport rapidly to laboratory.
Clostridium perfringens
Laryngotracheitis,
Infectious Canine
Kennel Cough
Tracheobronchitis
Nasal & tracheal swabs.
Tracheal wash.
Bordetella bronchiseptica
Pasteurella multocida
Other bacteria
Leptospirosis Can be demonstrated in fetal pericardial fluids.
Sometimes seen in urine.
Darkfield performed, not cultured.
Leptospira spp.
Listeriosis
Circling Disease
Listerellosis
Neural form: Brain stem.
Visceral form: Liver.
Abortion form: Fetus & placenta.
Listeria monocytogenes
Liver Abscesses, Bovine
Bovine Hepatic Necrobacillosis
Culture rarely attempted.
Liver with visible abscesses.
Fusobacterium necrophorum
Lumpy Jaw Fresh material from excised abscess on swab or in syringe. Arcanobacterium pyogenes
Actinomyces bovis
Lymphadenitis, Caseous Pseudotuberculosis Fresh pus on swabs from several lesions.
Abscess tissue & lymph node.
Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis
Lymphadenitis, Streptoccal
Jowl Abscesses
Cervical Lymphadenitis of Swine
Cervical Abscesses of Swine
Fresh pus from an excised lymph node. Streptococcus species
Lymphangitis, Ulcerative Pus on swab from excised nodule. Corynebacterium pseudotuberculosis

Back to Top

M

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Malignant Edema Dead animal: Muscle
Live animal: Fluid or material from lesion in a syringe.
Clostridium septicum
Mastitis Aseptically collected milk samples in sterile screw top containers. Staphlococcus spp.
Streptococcus spp.
Coliforms
Mycoplasma spp.
Many other bacteria
Meningitis Cerebral spinal fluid.
Brain.
Meningeal Swab.
Streptococcus spp.
Streptococcus suis
Haemophilus somnus
Cryptococcus neoformans
Listeria monocytogenes
Mycoplasma Infections Depends upon disease and animal species.
See section on Mycoplasma.
Mycoplasma spp.

Back to Top

N

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Nasal Aspergillosis
Canine Nasal Aspergillosis
Swabs from nasal cavity & curretted material from lesion. Aspergillus species
Naval Ill
Neonatal Septicemia
Depends upon duration of infection.
Affected tissue or joint.
Arcanobacterium pyogenes
Streptococcus spp.
Corynebacterium spp.
Necrobacillosis of the liver Affected liver tissue. Fusobacterium necrophorum
Neonatal diarrhea See Enteric Disease Escherichia coli
Nocardiosis Fresh pus & exudate from lesion. Excision may be necessary.
Thoracocentesis or tracheal wash.
Milk sample from affected quarter.
Nocardia asteroids

Back to Top

O

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Ornithosis (Avian) Fecal sample
Air sac tissue
Chlamydia psittaci
Otitis Externa, Canine
Otitis Externa, Feline
Ear swabs for bacterial & fungal culture. Proteus species
Pseudomonas spp.
Staphylococcus spp.
Streptococcus spp,
Coliforms
Yeasts (Pityrosporum spp.)
Overeating Disease Tied off section of intestine. Clostridium perfringens

Back to Top

P

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Paratuberculosis
Johne's Disease
See Johne's Disease Mycobacterium paratuberculosis
Pasteurellosis
Bovine Pneumonic
Shipping Fever
Bovine Respiratory Disease
Nasal swab in Transport media.
Transtracheal washings.
Portion of affected lung.
Pasteurella multocida
Mannheimia haemolytica
Histophilus somni
Arcanobacterium pyogenes
Pasteurellosis, Ovine Pneumonic
Enzootic Pneumonia of Sheep
Affected section of lung. Mannheimia haemolytica
Mycoplasma ovipneumoniae
Pinkeye Eye swab
Eyeball
Moraxella bovis
Plague Notify Lab Before Sending Samples
Exudate from abscess
Swollen lymph node
Yersinia pestis
Pneumonia, Swine Enzootic
Virus Pneumonia of Pigs
Mycoplasma Pneumonia of Swine
VPP
Portions of affected lung.
Sick or recently dead pigs.
Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae
Polyarthritis, Chlamydial
Transmissible Serositis
Joints & joint fluids. Chlamydia psittaci
Psittacosis See Ornithosis Chlamydia psittaci
Proliferative ileitis Portions of affected intestine including spiral colon & ileum. Lawsonia intercellularis
Poll evil Fresh material from newly opened abscess.
Fresh material from excised abscess.
Brucella abortus
Arcanobacterium pyogenes
Pulpy kidney disease Affected kidney tissue. Clostridium perfringens
Pyelonephritis, Bovine Midstream sample of urine.
Portion of affected kidney, ureter, bladder & urethra.
Corynebacterium renale

Back to Top

Q

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition

Back to Top

R

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Rhodoccal Pneumonia of Foals Cervical swab of mare.
Transtracheal aspirate.
Nasal discharge swab.
Lung and lymph nodes with lesions.
Rhodococcus equi
Ringworm
Dermatomycoses
Dermatitis, fungal
Plucked hair and skin scrapings sent in dry envelope. Trichophyton spp.
Microsporum spp.

Back to Top

S

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Salmonellosis Rectally collected feces.
Dead animal: Intestine, liver, spleen, lung & lymph nodes.
Salmonella serovars
Shipping Fever Lung Pasteurella multocida
Histophilus somni
Mannheimia haemolytica
Arcanobacterium pyogenes
Sleepy Foal Disease Brain Actinobacillus equuli
Snuffles Nasal swab Pasteurella multocida
Bordetella bronchiseptica
Sporothrichosis Aseptically collected pus from unopened lesion.
Abscess aspirate
Lymph node
Wound swab
Sporotrichum schenckii
Strangles Fresh pus taken on a swab from an excised abscess. Streptococcus equi
Streptothricosis
Dermatophilosis
Scabs & hair. Dermatophilus congolensis

Back to Top

T

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
TEME
Infectious Thromboembolic
Meningoencephalitis
Brain Histophilus somni
Tetanus Rarely needs laboratory confirmation.
Wound tissue collected & maintained in anaerobic condition.
Anaerobic transport swab.
Clostridium tetani
Tuberculosis Affected tissue. Mycobacterium spp.
Tuberculosis, Bovine Mesenteric lymph nodes in calves.
Adults: Lungs and pulmonary lymph nodes.
Mycobacterium bovis
Tularemia
Rabbit Fever
Notify Lab!
Liver, lung, kidney, spleen & lymph nodes with lesions.
Francisella tularensis
Tyzzer's Disease Unable to culture.
Culturing tissues can rule out other infections such as Salmonellosis, Sleepy Foal Disease, and Rhodoccus
Clostridium piliformis

Back to Top

U

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition

Back to Top

V

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Vibriosis Fetal fluids for culture.
Preputial washing or cervical mucous.
Campylobacter fetus

Back to Top

W

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Wooden Tongue Pus from fresh, non-discharging abscess Actinomyces bovis
Actinobacillus ligniersii

Back to Top

X

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition

Back to Top

Y

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition
Yersinia enterocoliticia Infection Feces
Portions of tissue with necrotic & caseous lesions
Yersinia enterocoliticia
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis Infection
Pseudotuberculosis
Feces
Portions of tissue with necrotic & caseous lesions
Yersinia pseudotuberculosis

Back to Top

Z

Disease Suspected/Condition Tissue to submit Causative Agent or Agents
Associated With the Condition